Co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge the chefs to take risks and earn as many points possible when they prepare food for judge Marcel Vigneron. Then, the chefs have a very limited time to execute two exacting dishes, and judge Andrew Zimmern decides which chefs advance to the final shift.

Co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge the remaining chefs with constant twists and turns, and adaptability is the key to survival as they make their best noodle dish for judge Marcus Samuelsson. Then, the chefs must temporarily put individual ambition aside to battle in two teams of four to impress judges Brooke Williamson and Ayesha Nurdjaja, who send two chefs home. 

Fatigue is setting in for the 12 remaining chefs as co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi challenge them to craft a black-tie entree in 90 minutes using only five ingredients. The chefs will have to choose their fate as a triple elimination looms. The nine chefs that impress judge Eric Adjepong will survive, and the ones that don't will clock out. 

Co-hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi give the remaining chefs three challenges that test their ability to think and cook fast, starting with a team relay race. Later, the chefs have 15 minutes to cook a fast-food dish. Expert judge Judy Joo will send two chefs home, leaving 12 to continue the longest day of their professional lives.

In the supersized season premiere, hosts Michael Symon and Esther Choi welcome 24 of the country's best chefs to the most intense cooking competition ever devised: 24 challenges in 24 non-stop hours. In the first shift, the chefs learn this season is completely different from previous ones - from picking which challenge they do to a completely new way of judging, this competition will test the chefs in unexpected and devious ways. If they can impress guest judge Jet Tila in the strategy skills round, they will have a chance to continue the longest day of their professional lives.